Four named to First Team

Thursday

Jun 13, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoepatino@hillsdale.netREADING — The Big Eight Conference recognized several Hillsdale County athletes for their efforts on the softball diamond this spring.The Reading and Jonesville High School softball teams combined for four All-Big Eight First Team players as the league announced its postseason honors Wednesday.Reading's Taylor Coe and Karissa Shay were named to the All-Big Eight First Team, while Brittany Marquart and Brynnae Butts received All-Big Eight honorable mention. Jonesville placed two on the First Team in junior Kelsey Branham and senior Megan Rose.Coe was the leading hitter for the Rangers this spring, finishing with a .417 batting average. She also led the team with 35 runs batted in and hit a home run. Coe also pitched in three games, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.80 earned run average. She recorded six strikeouts and allowed a total of three earned runs. Defensively, Coe finished with an .883 fielding percentage.Shay was also a force at the plate for Reading. She batted .404 with one home run and drove in 27 runs. Shay was the Rangers' top fielder, posting a .977 fielding percentage."Both Taylor and Karissa deserve to be on the First Team," Reading coach Kellie Mulnix said. "They led the team in just about everything. Both Brittany and Brynnae worked hard and made good contributions to the team."Branham turned in a strong season for Jonesville. She was one of the team's leading hitters and earned All-Big Eight First Team honors as a catcher. Rose received First Team honors at first base.In the Division 3 district tournament, Branham and Rose led the Comets past area-rival Hillsdale to advance to the district final.Marquart hit .398 for Reading with 14 RBIs and finished with an .889 fielding percentage. Butts enjoyed a strong season, hitting .321 with 19 RBIs while posting a .920 fielding percentage.Julayne Brigham of Big-Eight champion Concord was named the league's Most Valuable Player. Maycee Brigham, Sydney Martines and Lelah Weber also represent Concord on the All-Big Eight First Team.Springport landed five players on the First Team in Erin Shafer, Taylor Heisler, Kim Keller, Karri Wiel and Sam Bates. Homer had Mallori Konkle, Ashlyn Swafford, Kelsey Konkol and Stephanie Osborn make the First Team. Ashley Smittendorf of Athens rounded out the All-Big Eight First Team.